Turkey and Slovakia: A comparative study of EU accession process

Slovakia, a former communist country, became a member of the European Union in May 2004. This process is characterized by the change of political regime, more particularly, replacement of an `authoritarian? regime ruled by the Prime Minister Me?iar with a pro-EU regime ruled by his successor Mikulá? Dzurinda as a result of the 1998 parliamentary elections. Turkey, half European, half Asian, Muslim but secular, democratically ruled overpopulated country applied for an associate membership to the European Economic Community in 1959, which is perceived to be Turkey?s first official contact with the Club. However, now, in year 2013, Turkey seems to be in `stalemate? in its accession process. The aim of this thesis is to compare the two countries? EU accession processes, more accurately, their economic and political environments during the processes. The author of this thesis presupposes certain similarities concerning their progresses during their accession paths. The comparison in this thesis is done on a ground of EU conditionality, as well, more particularly, on its affectivity on Turkey and Slovakia. As a result, the author is willing to understand why Turkey still has not been able to enter the EU, in spite of certain similarities with Slovakia?s political and economic environment during the accession process. It is proposed that the EU?s approach to Turkey and its potential membership has been different than that of the EU?s approach to Slovakia?s or any other Central and Eastern European countries? membership.